About

$79,170

pledged of $78,000 goal

649

backers

In 1917, John Romulus Brinkley discovered he could cure impotence in men via goat testicle transplantation. (Then, the story really gets weird.)

From Director Penny Lane (OUR NIXON, THE VOYAGERS), NUTS! THE BRINKLEY STORY uses animated reenactments, interviews, archival footage, and a hilariously unreliable narrator to trace Brinkley’s rise from poverty and obscurity to the heights of celebrity, wealth and influence in Depression-era America.

Along the way, Brinkley transplants tens of thousands of goat testicles; amasses an enormous fortune; is (sort of) elected Governor of Kansas; builds the world’s most powerful radio station; invents junk mail, the infomercial, the sound-truck and Border Radio; hosts some epic parties; and annoys the heck out of the establishment, until finally his audacious actions force the federal government to create regulations to stop him. How he does it, and what happens when it all comes crashing down, is the story of NUTS!

Note for anyone who wants a DVD: no worries! any pledge over $50 that includes a digital download now includes your choice of a download *or* a signed DVD. It doesn't say so, because we added this option mid-stream, but we promise it is true.

TAX -DEDUCTIBLE DONATIONS

Donations over $500 can be tax-deductible! Tax-deductible donations are compensated with all the same rewards you see on this page. All you have to do is send a check to UnionDocs (our 501c3 fiscal sponsor) and let them know it's for NUTS! Mail it to: UnionDocs, 322 Union Avenue, Brooklyn NY 11211.

SPECIAL REWARDS FOR "OUR NIXON" SUPPORTERS!

You know who's the best ever? You. Especially if you supported OUR NIXON on Kickstarter. Anyone who pledged to either OUR NIXON campaign will receive a limited edition "Brinkley for Governor" campaign button (created exclusively for this Kickstarter campaign) with your pledge of $10 or more to NUTS! You don't have to do anything now; when the campaign is complete, you'll receive a survey on which you will just tick the "Our Nixon Supporter" button.

Kickstarter is an incredible platform to fund creative ideas and ambitious endeavors, and is the perfect way to finance a project like NUTS! Why? Because we don’t have to ask any one person to assume financial risk. We just have to convince all of you, who are captivated by adventurous documentaries, and want to be swept away by a completely bananas but true story, that you’ll love this new film and have fun participating in its production. We don't have to wait for Big Money; instead, we can harness the power of the film's future audience to make this thing a go. When NUTS! gets finished, it will be because people like you, people who are genuinely interested and want to see it, made that happen! It's simply INSANE that this film has not been made yet. Together, we can remedy this injustice.

Kickstarter is powered by a unique all-or-nothing method where projects must be fully funded or no money changes hands. In other words, if we don’t raise our goal, we lose everything. Our goal amount is the bare minimum we need to finish the film. Anything over that will be crucial in making it a better film. Your support is essential, and we are so appreciative that you took the time to consider this campaign. If you're looking for other ways to support the film, but are not in a place to make a financial contribution, you can spread the word to your interested friends, or otherwise on social media. Awareness will help us meet our goal!

But let me tell you: making a feature film is not something you can just go and do on your own. You need sooooooo many other people. (That's part of the fun!)

We are reaching a critical moment. Your contribution will help us find and pay the final, essential animators necessary to complete NUTS! Only 25% of the animations are complete. You'll be supporting our composer, hiring musicians and renting a studio to record our original score. Your dollars will also help us finance a color correct and sound mix for the film, so it looks pretty and sounds as great as possible for its big screen debut. There are many steps we need to take before we can bring this film to an audience.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for your interest – and support!

xo Penny Lane

Risks and challenges

We are confident that this movie will be completed, but there are a number of challenges that all filmmakers face when finishing a project.

The most common challenge faced by independent filmmakers is that additional time is needed to complete the film. This can happen for a number of reasons.

There's an old saying about creative work: when it comes to having things done "fast, cheap, or good," you can only get two out of three. Since "good" is a non-negotiable, we have to consider the possibility that completion may take longer than we expect.

But worry not! This train has left the station! We are full steam ahead on NUTS! THE BRINKLEY STORY. However, we need your support in order to be able to dedicate all our time and resources to the film.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $5 or more
About $5

It's An Indie LoveFest!: Any $5+ backer receives a free month-long MEMBERSHIP TO FANDOR! (http://www.fandor.com) Members can access thousands of handpicked, award-winning independent films from around the world. We'll also send you EXCLUSIVE UPDATES.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $35 or more
About $35

The Radio Buff: A download of THE BRINKLEY RADIO LOVERS DREAM COMPILATION: a collection of Brinkley's Radio Talks, plus other radio tidbits from the golden age of XERA (music by the Pickard Family, ads for Kolor-Bak, etc.)

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $50 or more
About $50

I Love Physical Media!: a *SIGNED DVD* of the finished film, immediately upon commercial release. INCLUDES $15 PLEDGE LEVEL REWARDS. Note for anyone who wants a DVD: no worries! any pledge over $50 that includes a digital download now includes your choice of a download *or* a signed DVD. It doesn't say so, because we added this option mid-stream, but we promise it is true.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $60 or more
About $60

DVD on the Radio: For those fans of original media, a SIGNED DVD of NUTS! and a download of THE BRINKLEY RADIO LOVERS DREAM COMPILATION. Hear Brinkley's voice in stereo! INCLUDES ALL $25 PLEDGE LEVEL REWARDS.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $150 or more
About $150

The Charlatan Special: a SIGNED COPY of CHARLATAN: America’s Most Dangerous Huckster, the Man Who Pursued Him, and the Age of Flimflam-- Pope Brock's hilarious account of the life of Brinkley! INCLUDES ALL $100 WALL TO WALL NUTS! PLEDGE LEVEL REWARDS.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $150 or more
About $150

The Million Watt: A SIGNED COPY of Gene Fowler's BORDER RADIO. Learn more about the pitchmen, psychics, yodelers, and other amazing Americans on the early airwaves! INCLUDES ALL $100 WALL TO WALL NUTS! PLEDGE LEVEL REWARDS.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $250 or more
About $250

Penny Gets Her Goat: Penny temporarily adopts a baby goat (from her neighbor's farm), and takes it everywhere she goes for one day! Backers at this level get to see a video documenting the results, which are pretty much guaranteed to be ridiculous. (Don't worry, I'll take excellent care of the kid.) INCLUDES $100 PLEDGE LEVEL REWARDS.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $300 or more
About $300

The Mini Testicle Festival: Caitlin Mae Burke will THROW A PARTY for you (and ten of your friends) in her beautiful, conveniently located Brooklyn apartment. Have a BBQ or a picnic in the yard (with CMB behind the grill) or a craft night in the living room (CMB provides supplies and snacks.) Vegan/Gluten Free? No problem! All food and beverage provided, travel to Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn not included. INCLUDES ALL $250 PLEDGE LEVEL REWARDS.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $500 or more
About $500

The Barn Dance: Host a SCREENING PARTY in Director Penny Lane's barn in scenic Central New York! You pick the movie, Penny will provide the party space (and the popcorn) for up to 25 guests! Great for an unforgettable birthday party, test screening or fundraiser. Travel to Hamilton, NY and accommodations not included. http://tinyurl.com/NUTSbarn INCLUDES ALL $350 PLEDGE LEVEL REWARDS.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $3,500 or more
About $3,500

The Leading Lady/Guy: YOUR ACTUAL FACE drawn into the film! You'll be drawn into a scene in NUTS! Plus TWO TICKETS to a premiere screening of your choosing (travel not included). INCLUDES ALL $1,000 PLEDGE LEVEL REWARDS.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $10,000
About $10,000

The Golden Goat: ASSOCIATE PRODUCER CREDIT on the film/IMDB. 4 tickets to a major premiere (travel/lodging not included, but party tickets will be!), and 100 copies of the finished DVD. Plus: 12 half-hour coaching calls from Penny Lane (or other members of the NUTS! team, including Dan Cogan, Caitlin Mae Burke, and Thom Stylinski, as you wish). Use these calls to get feedback, insight and direction on an existing project or help in jumpstarting a new project. INCLUDES ALL $5,000 "LEADING LADY/GUY" PLEDGE LEVEL REWARDS (not to mention the pleasure and satisfaction of knowing that without you, this film would never come to fruition).